The 2013 Australian Showjumping Championships (ASJC) is set to be the biggest ASJC to date after Equestrian Victoria (EV) received record levels of entries for the four day event, to be held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on Thursday, 19 to Sunday, 22 September.

Tim Clark on Caltago

EV has created an additional competition ring to accommodate horses and riders from across Australia and New Zealand, ahead of the event where riders will compete a prize pool in excess of $75,000.

The ASJC is a selection qualifier opportunity for the Australian Team to compete at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG). Celebrated Course Designer and French national, Frederic Cottier, is the mastermind behind the Championship courses so ASJC competitors will get a taste of what lies ahead at the 2014 WEG held in Normandy, France.

Equestrian Victoria CEO, Greg Pratt, said that the Australian Showjumping Championships will deliver a great competition for riders and horse owners with action packed entertainment for spectators of all ages.

"Equestrian Victoria is proud to host the Australian Showjumping Championships for the second consecutive year and continues to build on the success of last year's event by increasing prize money and enhancing the schedule of events.

"For the first time this year's program includes the Equestrian Australia Trans Tasman competition, which will see Equestrian Australia host team events for Young Rider and Senior classes where New Zealand's top eight riders will go head-to-head with Australia's biggest talents. This rivalry will extend to a second round at theRoyal Melbourne Show." Mr Pratt said.

Highlights of this year's competition, supported by the Victorian Government's Significant Sporting Events Program, will include the crowning of Australian Senior, Junior (18 years and under) and Young Rider (16 to 21 years) Showjumping Champions and a State Teams competition, between Australian state and territory teams. TheASJC features classes for all competition levels from grassroots to elite.

Following Equestrian Victoria's exceptional production of the 2012 Australian Showjumping Championship, its Showjumping committee secured the rights to host the 54 year-old competition for a further three years following a previous state-by-state rotational calendar process. The first of the three year hosting commences with this year's competition.

Spectators are welcome to enjoy the event, with free entry on Thursday, 19 to Saturday, 21 September and $20 per vehicle for the final Championships day on Sunday, 22 September.

For more information on the 2013 Australian Showjumping Championships event, please visit http://www.jumpingvictoria.com.au

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